It’s the most wonderful time of the year for celebration, entertainment and of good old jolly Saint Nick. December is brimming with events in North San Diego, so we’ve narrowed it down to 25 events for the 25 days leading up to the Christmas holiday. Get your social calendar ready and make this a memorable season with family and friends, and celebrate the countdown to Christmas!
12/1 All-Star, award winning cast, Bill Murray, Jan Vogler & Friends presents New Worlds at the California Center for the Arts Escondido. The cast will perform songs by Foster, Gershwin, Mancini and Berstein, and readings by Hemingway, Capote, Mark Twain and more! For tickets, call the box office at 1-800-988-4253.
12/1-27 Extended by popular demand, experience the eclectic performance of SUMMER:The Donna Summer Musical at the La Jolla Playhouse featuring three renowned actresses, and a score of more than 20 of Summer’s classic hits. The performance will present the conflicts the singer faced during her rise and descent to fame. Tickets start at $90.
12/2 Meet Santa at the Centre and enjoy half-off brunch at Vintana Wine + Dine with a purchase of an adult brunch entree. Activities for the kids include tiny trot rain ride, cookie decorating and art activities. Event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m.
12/2 The Winter Wonderland Festival and The Annual Tree Lighting Event will take place at the California Center for the Arts Escondido. The center is transformed into the North Pole featuring REAL snow, reindeer and Santa Claus himself! Guests will enjoy holiday-themed entertainment include carolers, stilt walkers, and hula dancers. The festival begins at 3 p.m. and ends 8 p.m. Free and open to the public.
12/2 Paint and Sip at Pala Casino Spa and Resort Underground Wine Cave. Recreate Henri Matisse’s Dancing Ladies, enjoy your favorite beverage (at happy hour prices!), and get creative with a local artist guide. All materials are provided, no experience required. Event begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. $40 per person.
12/3 23rd Annual Holiday Concert benefiting Meals on Wheels of San Diego County. The event will feature the Coastal Community Concert Band. The event starts at 2 p.m. at the Carlsbad Community Church.
12/3 The San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra presents “A Winter Concert” at the California Center for the Arts Escondido featuring string, wind, and full orchestral ensembles. The event begins at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are $10.
12/3 Have Breakfast with Santa at Maderas Golf Club. Highlights include a mini golf course for kids entertainment, decorate your own cookie station, and balloon artists will be available for the whole family. Reservations between 11:00 a.m. – 12:30p.m. are available. Adult ($34), Kids 5-12 ($15) and Under 5 is free.
12/3 Bring the whole family to the Annual La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival in downtown La Jolla featuring festive floats, marching bands, a KidZone, Community Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Claus. Event begins at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.
12/7 Get social at the Emerging Leaders Network holiday event at Koi Zen Cellars. Kick off the holiday season and make connections with San Diego professionals under 40. The social hour begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Free for North San Diego Business Chamber members and $15 for guests.
12/7 – 12/10 and 12/14 – 12/17 Charles Dickens’ “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol” comes to life at the California Center for the Arts Escondido. Hours vary. Tickets are $14 and discounted tickets are $9 and are available for seniors, active military students and children under 12.
12/8 Get ready to LOL with Hollywood comedian and actor Bob Saget at Harrah’s Resort Southern California. Must be 21+ to attend. Show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $29.
12/9 91X Wrex The Halls at Valley View Casino Center welcome live performances from The Lumineers, Vance Joy, DREAMCAR, The War on Drugs and The Arkells. Doors open at 5 p.m. and show starts at 6 p.m..
12/9 – 12/10 Santa Claus is coming to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Have Breakfast with Santa and gather at the the Safari Park’s scenic Kilima Point from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.The cost is $26.95 for adults; $16.95 for children, plus tax and parking. Admission is required for nonmembers.
12/10 Tis the season for giving. Support a great cause and help fight for a world without cancer. Register for the American Cancer Society 5K. Starting line takes place at 80 Park Blvd., San Diego, 92101. Admission is $40 for adults and $30 for children.
12/13 North San Diego Business Chamber is hosting the Holiday Regional Connect at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in La Jolla benefiting the North County Food bank. Give back to those in need while making connections with business leaders and decision makers. Food and drink are provided. Event starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Free for Chamber members and $35 for guests.
12/15 The 4S Dance Academy presents its inaugural performance of The Nutcracker featuring 4SDA’s professionally choreographed dancers, guest arts and performers. Show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
12/15 If action and excitement is your definition of a happy holiday, check out Barry Meyer’s “World Famous Tuff-N-Uff: Future Stars of MMA” at Harrah’s Resort Southern California. Must be 21+ to attend. Event starts at 7 p.m.
12/16 – 12/17 Enjoy the 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland at Welk Resorts featuring live music, food trucks, holiday shopping, and snow. Activities include a picture with Santa Claus, sledding, polar express, carnival swing and more! Event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. General admission is $15.
12/16- 12/17 The West Coast Ballet Theater’s, grand scale adaptation and performance of a Christmas favorite, The Nutcracker will feature over 200 performers with internationally acclaimed guest artists and live music by San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra. Show starts at 2 p.m. Tickets are between $21.50 – $42.00.
12/18- 12/23 Experience entertainment, shopping, food and drink under the stars at Holiday Nights! At Bernardo Winery. The winery will be extending their hours until 9 p.m. and will feature several activities including wine tasting, food trucks, live music, carriage rides, local arts, and craft booths. Free admission.
12/18 – 12/23 Skip the lines and fast track seeing your favorite person from the North Pole at “Breakfast with Santa” at Bernardo Winery. Treat the kids to a whole morning of fun by having them experience Wild Wonders, a cookie decoration station, face painting and more! Breakfast begins from 9:30 a.m and ends at noon. Ticket prices: Adults ($40), Children 7-12 ($30), 2-6 years old ($10), infants are free.
12/21- 12/23 Enjoy all the best activities and treats at December Days & Nights at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Activities include photo with Santa, gingerbread cookie decorating, holiday train ride, holiday shopping and more. A one-night stay will include S’mores n Snores, inn-room camping for kids, and entrance for 2 adults and 1 kid. Rates start at $179.
12/23 Jam’n 95.7 presents Jingle Jam at the Valley View Casino Center featuring popular acts by Migos, Sobxrbe, G-Easy and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $43.
12/28 Christmas fun continues even after the holiday at the annual San Diego Credit Union Holiday Bowl. Enjoy a game between college football’s Big Ten and Pac-12 at the SDCCU Stadium. Game starts at 6 p.m. Prices vary.
Add a little twinkle to your holiday calendar and bring the whole family to North San Diego Tree Lighting Events!